Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Defense lawyers for suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused challenged a digital forensic expert’s credibility during the 64th session of their trial on Wednesday.
The defense questioned claims that the third accused, Gatwech Lam Puoch, requested reinforcements to target government troops in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
Defense counsel Anis Tombe Augustino cross-examined prosecution witness Ratlhogo Peter Calvin Rafadi, scrutinizing the authenticity and interpretation of alleged WhatsApp communications.
While the prosecution noted that Gatwech Lam Puoch participated in the WhatsApp group where the messages originated, Calvin admitted that the accused did not send the specific message in question directly.
When Tombe pressed for the identity of the group’s members, Calvin stated he could not identify most participants because their names did not appear in the phonebook of the third accused.
The expert also confirmed that he could not verify any direct communication between Gatwech Lam and Tor Gile Thoan within the extracted data.
Calvin explained that all group members received the messages in real time. However, the defense argued that receiving a message in a group chat does not provide verified evidence of a direct link to the accused’s personal actions or intent.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng adjourned the session to Friday, April 10, 2026, to continue the cross-examination. The case involves charges of murder, conspiracy, and crimes against humanity following a March 2025 attack on the Nasir garrison.
Prosecutors allege that forces allied with the opposition killed 257 soldiers and destroyed military equipment.
Dr. Riek Machar currently remains under house arrest, while his seven co-defendants—Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek—remain in custody at National Security Service facilities.
This judicial process serves as a vital step for South Sudan as the court seeks to establish facts, ensure accountability, and uphold the rule of law through a transparent examination of evidence.
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